Chelsea Latest: Benitez targets Courtois, Flop striker off To Roma?

The situation of Thibaut Courtois is very interesting. The Chelsea player has been enjoying yet another excellent season at Atletico Madrid and wishes to continue his career in Spain. He has no shortage of admirers, with Barcelona are thought to be keen interested in him.

The 21-year-old seeks assurance of a regular starting place at the Stamford Bridge but it is hard to think of him replacing Peter Cech permanently next season.

According to reports in Italy, Napoli manager Rafael Benitez has expressed an interest in the Belgian goal keeper. On loan from Liverpool, Pepe Reina’s future is unsettled and the Spaniard could replace Victor Valdes at Barcelona.

Benitez could then be looking to replace Reina with Courtois at Napoli. Considering the relationship between two managers, Mourinho and Benitez, it is highly unthinkable that Chelsea would allow such a talented young player to leave.

In other reports, Italian club Roma are interested in landing Chelsea’s striker Demba Ba, who has dropped down the pecking orders at the London club.

Chelsea want at least €15m for the Senegal international who has scored three goals in 12 appearances so far, but the Italian club is not willing to pay such a hefty transfer free. It is understood that the representatives of both the clubs are in contact over a possible transfer in January.